Bhushan Steel and Power Limited signed a MoU with the Jharkhand government on 7 September, 2006 for establishing an integrated steel plant of 3 Mt. This project includes a 900 MW captive power plant. The estimated cost of the project was 10,500 crore. The plant was inaugurated on May 16, 2010 [1, 2].

Even before the inauguration a strong People’s Movement against the land acquisition is going on at Potka of East Singbhum district in Jharkhand. Consequently, the company was unable to materialize its project [1] During a public hearing (which is mandatory for inauguration of any project) villagers were reluctant of give up their land. They claimed that their land has been forcefully taken in violation of the CNT Act (CNT Act restricts transfer of land belonging to Scheduled Tribes/Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes to others) [3] and Fifth Schedule of the Indian Constitution [2]. Villagers have submitted memorandum to the concerned officers of Jharkhand government informing them about their opposition. Beside the boycott of the public hearing, the protesting villagers also called for strike in opposition of the project [4].

Bhushan Power and Steel Limited planned a steel and power plant project in village - Potka District - East Singhbhum, Jharkhand. The estimated initial investment of the project was Rs 10,500 crore. For the project and also for other purpose, like housing and other infrastructure, the company requires about 3,200 acres of land, of which 2,792 acres would be provided by the state government and rest other will acquire by the company directly from the land owners. The plant will get water from Subernarekha and Kharkai and power from NTPC’s Ramchandrapur-grid at Gamharia located at Seraikela-Kharsawan district. Once completed, the plant will produce about three million tonne per annum (MTPA) steel and a 900MW power for its own plant. According to the company source, the plant will generate direct employment to over 10,000 people. Beside this the company will also train about 150 local youths for work in the company. The company claimed that once it start the steel plant will follow all pollution control standards and norms [5].

The protestors demanded the cancellation of public hearing and also the scrapping of the project. The proposed project area is a tribal area and fall under the 5th Schedule of Indian Constitution. The area also falls under the provision of CNT Act (Chotanagpur Tenancy Act). So any land transfer to nontribal is illegal. Hence the project is a clear violation of rules [2].

Do you consider this as a success?

No

Why? Explain briefly.

Local tribal population (adivasis) and others are now struggling to save their land, water and culture. The protesting masses have found that government officials have become corrupt and are in favor of the establishment of the plant by the company. Government officials are not listening their grievances. Some of the village heads are also in favor of plant because they are bribed. This left villager to deal with the situation in their own [4].

Public Hearing on Sept 24 in Potka, East Singhbhum, Jharkhand[click to view]

Media Links

Public Hearing of Bhushan Steel Plant, East Singbhum, Jharkhand[click to view]

Other Documents

A Struggle to Save Their Land, Water and Culture Adivasis Impose Janta Curfew Source : http://www.eng.chauthiduniya.com/a-struggle-to-save-their-land-water-and-culture-adivasis-impose-janta-curfew/#sthash.xF6DCZ3A.dpuf[click to view]